The Lagos State Environmental Taskforce today confirmed the arrest of 84 individuals during a coordinated clean-up and enforcement operation in the Agege area. The exercise, which targeted locations including the Railway Corridor (Ojurin), Isale Oja, Oke Koto, and AP, was part of the state’s ongoing efforts to reclaim public spaces and address environmental violations.
According to the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the operation was aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal structures and addressing growing concerns over insecurity and environmental degradation in the area. “This exercise is not just about urban renewal,” Wahab stated. “It is also about protecting law-abiding citizens and ensuring public infrastructure is not hijacked or turned into hideouts for criminal activity.”
The taskforce reported that 82 men and 2 women were taken into custody. While the operation has drawn support from some residents who welcome the effort to restore order, others have raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals, including reports that some of those arrested were homeless and allegedly dragged from sleep into waiting Black Maria vans.
The Commissioner emphasized that all suspects will be charged in court accordingly and reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations. He also noted that similar operations have been carried out in other parts of Lagos, including Oshodi, Orile, and Lagos Island, as part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader agenda for a safer and cleaner metropolis.